A Challenge to Do Better

Usually I stay away from personal posts, and definitely stay away from political posts. I like to let App Growth Summit's initiatives speak for themselves. However, these days are a little different, and I can't sit idly bye, and keep watching the same stuff over and over. I have to make a challenge to others in this industry, our partners, our competitors, and anyone reading this. We've gone through so much in 2020, it would be a wasted opportunity to go through all this, and not improve ourselves and our world after we get through this all.

If any of you know me, then you know I am very passionate about doing "what's right," even if that goes against maximizing profits. I don't need a lot of money to live, so I rather make less and sleep easy at night, instead of feeling like I'm not doing right by the position I'm fortunate enough to be in at this time. While I can, I will.

Back in the 90's, I joined an Anti-Racism organization, which fought against not only racism, but also sexism, homophobia, and a number of other social injustices. There's good and bad out there, but I am optimistic that when we do the right thing as individuals, we can collectively move forward towards a better world together.

First, What App Growth Summit Has Done...

We have produced a number of social initiatives aimed at helping people, and not for monetary gain. We have made this a part of our company since day one, and I'll have news below on how we'll be ramping that up...

Our very first event...

AGS NYC in APRIL 2018, we raised thousands of dollars, along with YouAppi and other sponsors, for Women In Wireless (now mBolden), to help women in digital marketing have a stronger voice. Here's the recap video from the Fundraising Red Carpet Reception. All Sponsorship money for the Reception went to Women In Wirless.

Fast Forward to 2019 - JUNE 1, 2019...

A couple dozen mobile & tech professionals joined us for our 5k Run for Gen One in Central Park for a charity to help under-represented people get into Mobile & Tech, so they can be empowered for a better future. Annica Lin was a great partner in helping us make this happen, as was Carol Wright Ph.D. We raised thousands there, too, and made zero profit on this activation. For extra motivation in your life, here's Annica's TEDx Talk.

AUGUST 20, 2019...

We teamed up with the 5 O'Clock Group in SF to have a netWORKing Appy Hour to connect the unemployed mobile app professionals with those hiring. All the money from the sponsors went into the venue, beverages, and entertainment. We actually lost money, but happy to say a few people gained new jobs, so it was easily worth it!

Also in 2019...

We started the women's speaking association SpeakHer, first in NYC with 5 amazing women leading the initial charge, and now we are actively building 7 SpeakHer chapters around the world. Curious to see the Top 50 Women Speakers of 2019, well click here!

In a few weeks...on June 17th...

We will be producing the very first all-female mobile app growth leaders SpeakHer Virtual Summit on June 17th. This will be the first mobile app growth event featuring all the same exact high-quality content you'd expect from App Growth Summit, or any other quality event, but we will feature 100% women leaders as speakers. We have always maintained an average of around 50% women speakers, but we felt what better way to officially introduce the SpeakHer event than to produce this event for the mobile app industry!

But...We're not done, yet! Here's what we have going on in the future for our associations, charities, and initiatives!

In July 2020, we'll be having an event featuring all speakers who are currently out of work and looking for full-time positions! This way, we can showcase the immense talent out there, and get some people back to work! Since we can't do another 300+ person netWORKing party, but we did build our own custom online events platform, this will be the best thing to help!

For the remainder of our events in 2020, starting with App Growth Summit Seattle, and definitely into 2021 when we (hopefully) can return to in-person events, we'll be teaming up with a charitable cause related to tech and raising money to help that cause with awareness and funds to keep helping others in our industry, or related to our industry.

The Challenge

The challenge I have to the mobile app industry, our partners, our competitors, and anyone reading this, is to not just sit there and watch us. Join us! Let's partner together, work together, and do good together! Even if you're a competitor, or think you're a competitor, we can collaborate not for profit, but for the betterment of our industry...and possibly society.

Heck, even if you don't want to partner with us, just do some initiatives on your own! Just make sure you're not partnering with people only to help you sell more tickets, because that would be disingenuous. Create ways to give back, without asking for anything in return. Do it, not because I'm telling you, or others are, but because it's always the right thing to do.

When you leave your circle, the industry, and possibly the world a little better than you found it...that's when we all can win. So, peace, love, safety and equality to all of you reading this. Let's go do some great things and make a difference!

DEDICATION: This post is dedicated to those doing the right thing no matter how easy or difficult; to those who selflessly jump to help others before helping themselves; to those who risk their lives to save others; to those who will speak for those who cannot speak for themselves; to those who use their status and power to lift up instead of pushing down; and for the equality, justice, and equal opportunity for all!